Santa Anita Strikes Back Against California After Its New Machines Were Seized

A few days ago, California authorities seized thoroughbred horseracing track Santa Anita Park’s new gaming machines only two days after they were installed. While the move was praised by tribal gaming authorities, Santa Anita representatives claim that it had no legal grounds and are now taking the California Department of Justice to court.

DOJ Seized the Racing on Demand Machines

On January 15, Santa Anita Park added experimental Racing on Demand terminals – machines that are similar in nature to historical horse racing terminals (HHR). The machines allowed players to stake on prior horseracing events in a pari-mutuel wagering format where they played against one another rather than against the house.

While Santa Anita officials claimed that the machines’ pari-mutuel nature placed them under the pari-mutuel framework of the California Horse Racing Board, tribal authorities and California officials begged to differ.

As a result, the DOJ seized the 26 machines along with the cash inside only two days after they were introduced, to Santa Anita’s dismay and tribal operators’ delight. DOJ officials said that they will destroy the seized machines within 30 days, unless ordered otherwise.

Tribal authorities said that this was the logical outcome and that the same will happen no matter how many times commercial companies try to undermine tribal gaming with new products.

However, Santa Anita Park’s parent company, The Stronach Group, believes that the crackdown was not justified.

Santa Anita’s Owners Hope to Reinstate the Machines

The Los Angeles Turf Club, which is the entity operating Santa Anita Park, has filed a complaint in the Los Angeles Superior Court, arguing that the DOJ had no legal justification to seize the 26 machines along with the cash inside.

The 52-page complaint emphasized that the machines aligned with the pari-mutuel framework of the California Horse Racing Board. It also noted that the board had previously approved the format, finding no problems with it. The complaint added that the Attorney General’s office hadn’t disputed the legality of these machines either.

The lawsuit hopes to prevent the destruction of the machines and secure their reinstatement at Santa Anita Park.

Opponents, however, pointed out the clear similarities between the Racing on Demand machines and slot games. They also asserted that the machines had been intentionally designed to circumvent California’s gaming laws and the tribal exclusivity when it comes to slots.